Systemic approaches to improve cardiometabolic and brain health during lifespan (SYS-LIFE) is a pioneering Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) COFUND Fellowship Programme of the University of Turku 2024-2028. Its goals are breakthrough advances in human cardiometabolic and brain health, scientific renewal and boost for talented researchers´ versatile career development.
SYS-LIFE invites applications for up to eleven (11) fixed-term three-year SYS-LIFE postdoctoral researcher positions (job title Senior Researcher) starting from September 2025. SYS-LIFE Fellows are recruited internationally through a transparent selection process based on external peer-review. SYS-LIFE welcomes applications from projects based in any discipline within its three constituent faculties (Medicine, Science, and Technology) and independent units (Turku Bioscience Centre, Turku PET Centre). Successful applications will be selected on the basis of academic excellence.
SYS-LIFE researchers are given the freedom and support to develop a bespoke package of research and training to address their individual needs. This support includes a range of free mentoring and training options at University of Turku, as well as dedicated funds and a range of secondment options to enable postdocs to undertake research and training, including translational activities, at external academic and non-academic organisations.
For more information on the SYS-LIFE programme please see SYS-LIFE website.
Job description
The main task of SYS-LIFE Fellows is to carry out an internationally excellent research project over a three year period, during which the results of the project should be disseminated in a number of ways. SYS-LIFE researchers will be guided and supported by an academic supervisor and a mentor. They will enjoy a high level of autonomy to pursue their research project and develop and establish their future career plan. The selected candidates will form a community of SYS-LIFE Fellows and will take part in the SYS-LIFE structured training workshops monthly.
Requirements
Eligible applicants
- must have completed their doctoral degree, awarded no longer than 8 years prior to the call deadline (excluding any declared career breaks, such as parental leave or national service)
- must meet the MSCA mobility rule that they have not resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to the call deadline. Returning residents of Finland are therefore eligible to apply.
The positions are located at one of the campuses of the University of Turku and successful candidates are required to be resident in Finland.
The Call is open to postdoctoral phase researchers from anywhere in the world, and from any nationality or discipline as long as their proposed research aims to improve cardiometabolic or brain health. There is no age limit. Applicants must have outstanding potential and an established record of research excellence.
Applicants must define an original, autonomous research project of their own design: this must be situated within an existing unit (e.g. research group or department) within faculties of Medicine, Science or Technology, Turku Bioscience or Turku PET Centres and engage with the core research expertise of the University. Applicants must request at least one Letter of Support issued by one of the potential project supervisors from participating units at University of Turku, published on the SYS-LIFE website www.syslife.fi/research.
SYS-LIFE applicants are expected to abide by the University of Turku’s policies on equal opportunities and open science and comply with University policies (including those on research ethics) and with local law.
All applications meeting all eligibility requirements of the SYS-LIFE programme will be sent for external review. Based on the external evaluations, the SYS-LIFE Selection Committee makes final decisions on the successful applications.
Salary
The SYS-LIFE offers an attractive remuneration composed of a salary and additional allowances. The salaries of SYS-LIFE Fellows are determined within the university salary system for teaching and research personnel. The salary is on requirement level 6. Depending on previous experience and competence, the gross salary is approximately 4385 € per month at the beginning of employment, and it is subject to annual increases. The salary is negotiated when the employment contract is drawn up. The salary and allowances are taxable income.
Recruited researchers are entitled to a mobility allowance (100 € minus employer’s contributions per month) and a family allowance (100 € minus employer’s contributions per month to fellows who are married or with a formal status equivalent to marriage, or have dependent children). The fellows are also entitled to travel costs (up to 1200 € per year), research costs (up to 5000 € per year for justified expenses), and other costs (up to 1200 € per year for training and 10,000 € over 3 years for innovation activities, e.g. Proof of Concept).
Trial period of six months is applied in the position.
How to apply
Detailed Instructions and guidance for applicants in the Guide for Applicants
Applicants can submit one application for this call.
In your application, you must include eight attachments as pdf-documents:
- CV (max. 2 pages)
- Cover Letter = Research plan abstract (max. 2,500 characters plus spaces, including references)
- List of publications
- Research plan with consideration of ethical issues (max 25,000 characters plus spaces, including references)
- Copy of applicant´s doctoral certificate (if unavailable, a copy of official confirmation of PhD completion)
- Letter of Support from the University of Turku unit of your desired research topic (you must use the template provided on the SYS-LIFE website)
- Ethics self-assessment form (please find template provided on the website)
- Initial data management plan (max. 1 page)
All documents must be written in English and named using the last name of the applicant and the document title.
An information session for applicants will be held online on Monday 11 November 2024 between 14.00 and 16.00 (Europe/Helsinki). The SYS-LIFE staff will introduce the Call, explain the applications and reviews process and answer questions. A recording/Powerpoint slides of the event will be placed online. Online meeting link: https://utu.zoom.us/j/66985119731.
For further information, please contact syslife@utu.fi.
Benefits
The University of Turku offers you an exciting opportunity to freely pursue your own research concepts and develop. You will have access to diverse services of the University to support your work. We invest in your work well-being and promote work-life balance, for example, by offering flexible working hours and well-being services. Read more about University of Turku as an employee from Come work with us! pages.
We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage all qualified applicants, regardless of their backgrounds, to apply for our open positions.
The University of Turku is a responsible employer and educator and follows The Equality Plan of the University of Turku approved by the University Board. The European Commission has awarded the University the right to use the HR Excellence in Research logo. The logo is a token of the University’s commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers.
The University offers excellent support and orientation for international hires. Please learn more about the Finnish culture and relocation to Finland:
COFUND SYS-LIFE
SYS-LIFE is jointly funded by the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska Curie-actions (MSCA) COFUND programme and the University of Turku. SYS-LIFE supports the bottom-up development of excellent early- and mid- career stage academics through the provision of three years of funding, enabling them to carry out self-designed research projects. SYS-LIFE will fund 22 postdoctoral fellowships over the programme’s duration (2024-2028).
The University of Turku is an inspiring and international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. We build a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration. With us, your work will have a significant impact and relevance in the changing world.
